Soldiers' widows don't get fair deal, Part II
To support our troops does not mean becoming bloodthirsty and shouting for war, war and more war.
It doesn’t mean supporting the president, the defense secretary, the Republican-controlled House and Senate.
It means supporting our troops. Standing by them as they go into harm’s way, praying for their swift and safe return, grieving for our losses.
The president spent 90 minutes with grieving family members just the other day. Ninety minutes! I hope he could spare it. More importantly, I wish he could understand the sacrifice instead of mouthing hollow words that touch nobody’s soul or ease anybody’s pain.
I don’t want to be a soldier. I never did. There hasn’t been a war during my lifetime worth fighting for. That does not mean we do not need a strong and efficient military. That also does not mean that I believe those who do serve are evil and wrong. It just does not fit my personal standards of morality.
I support our troops. I worry every time I hear there has been yet another death or more serious injuries in Iraq. I worry that they will next be sent to Iran, North Korea, Lebanon, Syria or any other dangerous spot on the planet.
These brave men and women, their families, their friends, deserve better than a bunch of hypocrites who never wore the uniform , never put their lives on the line, never went into harm's way, making life and, sadly, death decisions.
RSS feed
Comments
Ed: The following was my response to another opinion article on a related subject. I think it applies to your column also.
I fully agree with the opinion you express. From the beginning the burden of this war has been borne by a very small minority of our citizens. Public and political support has been more rhetorical than real. The true long term costs of the war have been estimated to be at least 1 trillion dollars as we care for the wounded and maimed for the rest of their severly damaged lives. That cost will be paid by future generations. We will continue to sit smugly at home and enjoy our tax cuts blissfully ignoring the pain and suffering experienced by so many families in this country, not to mention the tens of thousands of Iraqi civilians, including many women and children, that we have placed on the front lines of this war so that we don't have to fight it here, a very questionable rational. Our actions are not only shameful, they are morally repugnant.
Posted by: gstoddard | August 26, 2006 08:18 AM
Amen.
It is very possible to support the troops but be against this terrible war. The best way to support the troops is by doing everything possible to keep them out of harm's way.
If they must go to war we should at least make sure they have armor rather than padding the wallets of Halliburton execs.
I wonder what Dubya would think about the war if the twins were in Iraq.
Posted by: Dwayne | August 27, 2006 01:29 AM
As confusing it may be, some insist that they support our troops cursing the cause that they fight and die for. I remain greateful for both our troops and their noble cause. In the final analysis, neither the complainers nor the press that thrives on them preserve our freedoms. It is the troops who pay the dear price of liberty with their own lives and liberty who preserve us. May God bless our courageous troops. May God ever bless America with such men and women who understand that it always has taken and ever will take far more than duplicitous criticism and descent to preserve our land of the free.
Posted by: Voin Campbell | August 27, 2006 05:24 PM